Discussion

MARTINI MADNESS

It begs to be asked again...where are the best places to go in Toronto for Martinis in a cool, funky atmosphere? And what are prices of the martinis? I find paying over $15 for a martini is not very worthwhile. I went to Cucina in little italy and enjoyed them a lot, I think they were $10-11 a glass, but were the best ones I have had in some time. Any new hot spots in the city??

Not sure if it's the right kind of funky, but we had an interesting girls' night out at Wild Indigo (607 College) after a dinner at (guess where) Cucina in little italy. Martinis run from $9-$17 (if I remember correctly).

Cache, in an alley between King and Wellington, used to have great martinis. Although I haven't been there in ages, most of the fun martinis were made with various Ceres juices. Best lychee martini I'd ever ordered.

Pravda has the "non-martinis" also, in addition to the real ones. Unfortunately, I think their food isn't so good. But just for drinks and to hang out on a Thursday or Friday night after work, it's good.

I have to admit that Pravda makes a killer classic vodka martini. Great vodka list as well. However, went there on a night that was dead, and got the WORST service. Don't know what the deal is but when a group of people is spending $15 per martini I expect someone to come to our table to take an order. It's a little on the pretentious side if you ask me.

And god knows we definitely need just one more pretentious place in this city...

Actually a "real" martini as described in the first Jame bond book was: "Three measures of Gordon's gin, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, and then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel."

Martinis as everything changes with the times.. also vodka and gin today is not as harsh as it was in the early days where to drink it straight you needed to mix it with something.. especially during prohibition when gin was most likely made in someones bathtub!

Just call it evelution and drink to it.. fruity or not...

PS Laide makes great martinis, traditional and fruity.. but the best is the "mid-life crisis" vodka, glenmorangie & a grapefruit twist

Hoegaarden is actually fun to drink in those big ass glasses. I have found a few decent places in T.O., but there is a place called Ming in Calgary and for $7 you get the most ridiculous sized beer glass I have ever seen in my life! As far as Martinis go, I really don't care if it's fruity, creamy, straight up vodka and gin and olive...the point is to enjoy a great beverage in a great atmospehere. I think it's finding the good atmosphere that is the tough part. I am still partial to Laide and Cucina as I mentioned, but I have not been to Pravda. Is it kinda snooty there? .